Will Fraine believes another 50 to 70 first-innings runs could leave Yorkshire handily placed in their LV= Insurance County Championship clash with title chasing Hampshire at Scarborough – as long as they are on it with the ball.

Hampshire showed the way this morning as Yorkshire fell to 33-6 before Fraine (53) and seventh-wicket partner Dom Bess (67) recovered things with a 116 stand through the afternoon.

Both fell just before close, which came early because of rain – there was no play beyond 3.45pm, and the hosts will begin day two on 158-8.

“We’re not in an ideal spot,” admitted Fraine. “But myself and Bessy grafted really hard, and we’re confident that we can put 200-220 on the board. It’s not an easy wicket.

“They bowled really well up top – there’s no question about that. They got the best out of conditions this morning. They swung the ball and nipped it. But we have an attack that can do exactly the same. Having Coady back in, it really strengthens us up top.

“It was frustrating myself and Bessy got out towards the end. It would have been great to see the day out together.

“He got a good ball, and I would have played the same shot every ball. It was slower and I was too quick on it.”

Fraine continued: “Fingers crossed when we get chance to bowl, we’re on it and we start the way they started.”

On the toss, which Yorkshire won and elected to bat, Fraine said: “It was a really tricky decision. I don’t envy Patto and the coaches in making that. It looks like a good deck. There’s not a lot of grass on it. Conditions weren’t great today, but it was a 50/50 call.

“We knew either way it was going to be tough – a graft – because these boys are in good form and they’re a good side. They’re a well oiled machine, and we’re a team in a phase of learning and building.

“We just weren’t as good as they were this morning. That’s the reason we found ourselves in the position we were.”

Fraine posted his first Championship fifty of 2022 in his fourth game, and he and Bess playing superbly to recover things after lunch on a day shorn of nearly 42 overs.

“You can’t go nowhere against this attack,” he said of the afternoon action-plan. “You have to look to score.

“We got a few more bad balls, and we made our own luck with our intent.”

He added: “My scores haven’t shown it, but I’ve felt really good this year.

“I’ve got thirties and twenties in the games I’ve played. It’s the best I’ve ever felt. I’ve got a solid defence now, which I haven’t really had the last two years because I’ve been in and out and struggling with my technique.

“But I’ve worked out a technique and a game now. I’ve always had the attacking shots, but it’s just about putting together an innings.”

Related News

View all news

YCCC announce 2025 Academy and Emerging Players' Programme

Yorkshire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce the players selected for the Club’s Academy and the Emerging Players’ Programme (EPP) for 2025.

Read more

Yorkshire Women sign Grace Hall

The new look Yorkshire Women are excited to announce the signing of seam bowler Grace Hall on a two-year contract. 

Read more

Win a Signed Jafer Chohan Shirt!

Win a shirt signed by England Cricket player Jafer Chohan ahead of his debut in the England West Indies ODI series this week!

Read more
An image of Lauren Winfield-Hill and Adil Rashid, with the Yorkshire logo and Northern Diamonds logo in the middle

Sign up to our newsletter

For all the latest news, previews, ticket, membership and Premium Experiences information and more exciting content from Yorkshire Cricket and the Northern Diamonds straight to your inbox, subscribe now.

To view our privacy policy, click here.